VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 5/17/11)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) invites youth and young adults, ages 15-30, to the Karen Baptist Youth Conference July 21-24, 2011, at Houghton (N.Y.) College.

The theme—“Be a good example”—derives from I Timothy 4:11-12.

“By attending the conference, youth will gain a deeper understanding of their own history, culture and American Baptist faith. By understanding, they will gain pride about who they are, so that they can become good examples,” says Rev. Rothang Chhangte, ABHMS liaison for Burma refugees. “Back in time in their home country, the Karen people were leaders in politics, education and Christianity among all denominations and even among groups outside of their own culture.”

Speakers and workshop leaders include the following:

• Dr. Eh Wah, former president of Myanmar Institute of Theology and New Testament scholar;

• Rev. Florence Li, director of Asian Ministries, ABHMS;

• Rev. Duane and Marcia Binkley, missionaries to Thailand, American Baptist International Ministries; and

• Dr. Angelene Naw, history professor, Judson University, Elgin, Ill.

The conference is co-sponsored by ABHMS, Karen Baptist Churches USA, Buffalo Karen Baptist Church and the Burma Refugees Task Force.

Houghton College is one hour south of Buffalo, N.Y., at 9712 Route 19 in Houghton.

Registration fee is $25, and the deadline to register is June 20, 2011. Interested individuals are urged to register early because space is limited.

To register or obtain additional information about the conference, contact Chhangte at Rothang.Chhangte@abhms.org, 1-800-222-3872, x2426, or 610-768-2426. For information in Karen, contact Mahn Mya Thwin, local committee chairperson, at 716-603-5034.

For information about ABHMS Asian Ministries, visit the ABHMS Web site at www.abhms.org > Ministries & Programs > Intercultural > Asian Ministries.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.